Meeting. (2)
The mountain was steeped in darkness, and a barren wind swept across the road. Sparks from the campfire rose like heat haze.
I looked at Rohakan. He met my gaze without flinching. He called me his disciple, but there was nothing particularly special about it.
Deculein's past was such a tangled web that connections like this felt both sudden and inevitable. Among the named characters scattered across the empire, there might even be fewer who didn't have ties to this man.
“Rohakan?”
Ifrin turned to him, her voice trembling as she repeated the name.
“R-Rohakan? That staff made of world tree fragment...”
The cherished staff of the archmage Demakan was made from the world tree—a tale famous enough to appear in fairy tales.
Demakan had crafted his staff from a branch of the world tree and distributed the remaining fragments to his family. To Ifrin and Sylvia's eyes, Rohakan's staff was unmistakably made of the world tree.
“How did you pass through the barrier? I put some real effort into making it.”
Rohakan scratched the back of his neck as he asked.
Barrier magic varied by type depending on its nature. For instance, barriers that expanded space belonged to the auxiliary series, while those that deceived perception fell under the illusion series.
In that regard, Rohakan's barrier was illusion-based—a field I was immune to.
“Tricks like that don't work on me anymore.”
“...Oh ho. Tricks, you say?”
Rohakan's eyes widened. I glanced at Ifrin and Sylvia standing nearby. But Sylvia was gone.
“I'm right here.”
...She had slipped behind me without a sound.
“Ifrin.”
I called her name. Rohakan reacted with exaggerated surprise.
“Ifrin? You're that Ifrin Luna? Daughter of the Luna family?”
“Huh? Y-You know me?”
“Know you? Of course. Fifteen years ago, maybe? Your father's mind was a fresh shock even to me. What’s he up to these days?”
Ifrin's expression hardened. She looked at me, then at Sylvia, but her gaze ultimately fixed on the ground.
“...He's dead.”
“...”
Rohakan's mouth fell open.
He rubbed his temple, looking awkward and apologetic.
“What a shame. His personality was a bit odd, but he was a theoretical genius one in a generation.”
“Ah...”
“Debutante Ifrin.”
I called her again. She hesitated but soon approached me, though she still asked Rohakan,
“...You're really not Murkan? You're Rohakan?”
Rohakan gave a wry smile and nodded.
“Yup. Sorry 'bout that. Folks run off screamin' if I use my real name. Murkan's an old pal o' mine, not much different from a childhood friend, and I borrowed this staff from him.”
“The empress slayer, Rohakan...”
“Can't call it a lie exactly, but back then, I had no choice.”
Rohakan had been a friend of the late emperor Krevaim. Yet he had killed the empress at the time along with numerous court mages, becoming an enemy of the empire.
“Th-Then...”
Ifrin clutched at her stomach, where the light spirit had descended.
Rohakan chuckled softly.
“My spirit's fine, so don't worry. That way, you'll keep your promise too—”
“Ifrin, Sylvia.”
I cut him off and addressed the two.
“Go down.”
They hesitated. But no witnesses could be allowed for what came next.
I urged them in my coldest, most severe tone.
“If you get caught up, you might die.”
Rohakan clicked his tongue. The two, frozen like ice, finally nodded.
“Go. Follow my steel.”
To ensure they wouldn't get trapped in the barrier, I assigned one wooden steel sword as their guide. Sylvia whispered from behind me in a small voice.
“Don't lose.”
“...Go.”
There was no way I could lose.
But I couldn't win either.
Of course, because I had no intention of fighting.
“If you don't move in three seconds, there will be discipline.”
Ifrin and Sylvia departed following my steel. The rustling footsteps—swish, swish—grew distant and faded away.
Whiiiiiing...
A cold, dry wind blew. Clothing hems and hair fluttered wildly. Rohakan regarded me with a grave expression.
“...You've clearly put in some effort. Your mana is purer than before. I didn't realize mana quality could be improved through effort.”
“You still seem to be growing younger.”
Rohakan's face stiffened momentarily. It pierced his secret.
He narrowed his brow and shot back.
“Planning to fight? I don't want to kill a disciple.”
“Provoking each other benefits no one.”
“...What?”
I could not defeat Rohakan. It wasn't due to insufficient growth or needing more time.
I probably could never beat him, even until my dying breath.
“You took it as provocation? It was a warning.”
“Reckless bravado.”
“Ha, bravado?”
Yet this body does not yield. It may break, but it never bends. Even before a transcendent powerhouse, it does not lose its self-respect.
It was unmistakably Deculein's temperament, but I admired this trait.
Kim Woojin had always been tossed about by the whims of the world. I was sick of being swayed without conviction or principles.
“Braaaavadooo~?”
“...”
I closed my eyes and assessed the situation. Fifteen of the twenty wooden steel swords were still scouting the mountain's nooks.
“...157 lost in the barrier. 93 simply wandering. 23 trying to dismantle it. 37 forcing a path through. The encirclement is complete to the southeast, north, and northeast, and the Imperial Knights' forces are gathering.”
I opened my eyes. Rohakan's gaze was fixed on me.
“Dragging out time, are you? I have no intention of letting that happen.”
Rohakan drew up his mana.
I replied with the same impassive expression.
“Head northwest. It's still weak there.”
“...?”
Rohakan's rising mana faltered instantly. His eyes bulged as he blinked rapidly.
“What?”
“But remember this. This is the last time I let you go.”
I said.
Hoping Rohakan would be more cautious from now on. So he wouldn't get caught by the empire while distracted by those two kids, or worse, killed.
“Well...”
Rohakan scratched his neck and responded.
“Is that your old sentiment talking?”
“I feel no affection for the empress's killer.”
“...Right. Figured as much. But aren't you curious? Why I'm here.”
“I am.”
“Hm. Then will you trust my words? I'm the master who abandoned his disciple.”
“You came to destroy the 'Altar.'”
I stated it definitively. Rohakan, mid-sentence, gasped and gaped.
“You... you've grown different these days, huh?”
“No time for chit-chat. Leave.”
“...Fine.”
He turned away. But after a few steps, he stopped and twisted only his head to look back.
He still had more to say.
“Deculein.”
“Yes.”
“...Do you believe in God?”
An out-of-left-field question. Yet it pierced the core of the main quest.
I answered.
“I trust only myself.”
I do not believe in God.
Neither as Deculein nor as Kim Woojin.
That conviction remains unchanged.
“...Haha.”
Rohakan smiled faintly.
“Good attitude. Take this.”
He handed me a book.
“A tale of certain fanatics in this world. Read it sometime.”
Information
: Exploration record written by Rohakan.
: Records the habits of fanatics observed while traversing Mieolji.
Category
: Special ⊃ Book
Effect
: ???
I tucked it into my bosom.
“Farewell.”
He enveloped his body in wind elements and simultaneously activated some destructive grand magic.
Kugugugugu—!
The grand magic struck the ground repeatedly, upheaving the earth entirely. The surroundings warped as if struck by lightning.
Then, he dashed northwest.
“...Now it begins.”
The 'true named ones' were appearing one by one. Empress slayer Rohakan, giant Sectran, new disease lord Rodran, authority wielder Kala...
Even Ifrin and Sylvia would need at least two more years to join that tier.
This world was vast, and the quests were still in the early stages.
Rohakan's Story
◆ Acquired one Item Catalog
◆ Shop Currency +1
The item catalog was a special reward. I thought it was player-exclusive, but anyway.
I'd use it later.
“Cunning old fox.”
Rohakan had devastated nearly the entire area as he left. It wasn't pointless bravado to show off his might.
I knew his intent.
It was an 'alibi' for both of us.
To play along, I recalled the wooden steel scattered everywhere and began the work.
Kwagagagagagwang—!
The nineteen steel blades tore into the already ravaged earth and vegetation once more. Natural features crumbled under the whirlwind of steel, transforming the radius around where Rohakan and I had stood into an indescribable scene of devastation.
It was the result of squeezing out every last drop of my mana.
* * *
Dozens of knights were ascending the mountain. At their center were not only the zealous knight Rawain but also the belatedly joined Imperial Knights vice-commander, Isak.
Nearly the empire's entire force had converged on Darkness Mountain.
─────!
As they raced to find traces, they detected a massive magical wave.
─────!
Continuous barrages followed.
“North. Follow.”
Isak predicted the epicenter with his unique sensitivity. The knights followed him. To Isak, the barrier was merely a minor obstacle.
Then, they sensed footsteps descending the slope.
“...Who goes there!”
The knights drew their swords and aimed. The approaching figure showed no hesitation despite nearing the knights.
Everyone tensed, but soon exhaled in relief.
“...Professor Deculein?”
Isak muttered.
Deculein von Grahan Yukline, chief professor of the Imperial University Tower. He was descending.
“...”
His strides still exuded elegance, but undeniable fatigue clung to him, and his attire was filthier than usual for Deculein.
“What happened up there?”
Isak asked. Deculein, standing before the knights, said nothing for a moment.
“Professor. Speak.”
Deculein wore an expression as if his pride had been wounded—an act convincing to anyone.
Finally, he spoke.
“...He got away.”
“Got away? Rohakan?”
“...”
Deculein fell silent. Leaving them frustrated, he descended the mountain path.
Isak glared at his retreating back, frowning.
“What nonsense. Does that man have the skill to capture Rohakan now?”
“No way. He's just arrogant. Let's hurry up.”
At Rawain's words, they dashed up the slope like the wind. The knights' strides were swift.
Soon, they arrived—and were met with the sight.
“This is...”
...An oppressive landscape that stole their words.
It was a complete inferno. No part of nature remained intact, as if crushed wholesale. Craters pocked the ground everywhere, the earth was horrifically upheaved, and ash, mana, and blood droplets mingled in the air.
Even hell or a demon's lair couldn't look worse.
Faced with the scene of monstrous magical combat, the knights were momentarily speechless, but vice-commander Isak recovered first and shouted.
“If it was a battle this fierce, Rohakan can't be in normal condition either. Split into three units and pursue again!”
Considering Rohakan's power, they had formed a unit—but now divided into three: northwest, north, and northeast.
* * *
Meanwhile, Sylvia and Ifrin were immediately seized by police upon descending the mountain and transported to the station.
“Good grief... Nothing happened, you say?”
In the detective division's interrogation room. The curly-haired investigator asked Ifrin.
Ifrin nodded.
“...Yes.”
“No way. You met Rohakan, and nothing happened?”
Ifrin was under interrogation. Sylvia had been with her at first, but hers ended in three seconds.
“Really, nothing happened.”
“Liar.”
“...”
“It's all over your face, kid.”
The investigator grinned sleazily. Ifrin gripped her robe hem tightly. Rohakan's letter was still in her pocket.
“If you don't talk, you might go to jail~?”
“...”
Ifrin gritted her teeth. Confession or betrayal didn't suit her nature. Even if it was Rohakan...
The smirking curly-haired investigator snorted.
“Hey! You there! Search her first!”
“What?! No way!”
“No way? You're lying nonstop, so we have to search.”
“I'm not a criminal. A body search is...”
“You don't get it, huh? Listen, even an Imperial University mage hiding anything about a 'black water' grade criminal is a crime. Hey! Didn't you hear? Get in here for the search!”
Just as the investigator bellowed—
Bang—!
The interrogation room door flew open violently. The investigator jumped in fright and turned.
“Damn it. Interrogation's not over—who's banging on the...”
Mid-grumble, he faced the approaching noble.
Chief Professor Deculein.
“...”
“...”
The investigator shut his mouth. Deculein alternated glances between him and Ifrin. The curly-hair belatedly straightened up.
“Ah, Chief Professor! I just heard the report about your fierce magical battle with Rohakan—are you alright? What brings you here?”
“...What brings me?”
Wrinkles formed at his eyes as he retorted, his gaze interrogating the investigator in turn.
“Y-Yes?”
“You took two of my students here.”
“Ah~ Yes! The other one's comfortably on the sofa outside!”
The curly-hair said. Deculein already knew. Sylvia was asleep on the sofa.
But to wrap this incident cleanly...
“I said two.”
“...Pardon?”
“Come out, Ifrin.”
He told her. The flustered curly-hair shot up.
“N-No, you can't!”
“...”
Deculein fell silent. Overwhelmed by the pressure, the curly-hair blurted unnecessarily.
“Th-This kid's hiding something.”
“What might that be.”
“We're just about to find out...”
Deculein stared silently at the investigator. Those blue eyes had the power to choke the breath from a man.
He said.
“Your name.”
“...Pardon?”
“Your name.”
“Ah, well, I...”
“I do not ask thrice.”
Deculein's gaze raked him from head to toe.
“Insolent.”
“S-Sorry! Ekon!”
Just then, the supervisor arrived, having heard the news.
“Wh-Whoa! Professor! You're here! Hey, you bastard! Bow your waist! This is the professor who fought that black water scum to the death!”
“Ah, yes. I was just about to!”
The supervisor and investigator bowed simultaneously. Deculein ignored them and told Ifrin,
“Ifrin. Rise.”
“Yes...”
Ifrin stood hesitantly. Sylvia, now awake, waited outside the room.
“Out.”
“““Farewell!”””
Deculein walked the corridor, and the police bowed whenever they saw him. Sylvia seemed accustomed to the treatment, but Ifrin couldn't adapt.
Two vehicles waited on the street outside. One for Sylvia, the other Deculein's.
“...Ifrin.”
Before boarding, Deculein turned to her.
“Yes.”
“Did that investigator take anything from you.”
“...No.”
Ifrin clutched the letter in her robe pocket. Deculein nodded in satisfaction.
“Well done. A promise must be kept.”
Deculein boarded.
But before closing the door, Ifrin asked,
“Um... how did it go?”
Sylvia looked curious too.
Deculein exhaled faintly and replied.
“You need not know.”
His voice was laced with fatigue—a tone Ifrin and Sylvia heard for the first time.
“All of you, disperse. No word of today's events to anyone.”
Deculein's driver closed the passenger door. He departed, and Sylvia boarded hers.
Ifrin alone stood dumbly on the sidewalk, staring at the cars.
“Want a ride?”
“Huh? Ah, no thanks. I'll walk. Riding carriages or cars makes me nauseous.”
“Very well.”
Vroom— Sylvia's car started. The two vehicles vanished down the road, and envious Ifrin began trudging on foot.
“Haa...”
Tonight's night breeze felt heavy. Too dramatic a situation, too many stories heard. Her whole body felt sodden and limp, like soaked in water.
“Ha.”
A hollow laugh escaped.
The first person to acknowledge her father was none other than 'Rohakan'—the empire's most notorious criminal.
“He won't explode if I don't send the letter...”
For Ifrin, it had been a tangled, complicated day.
“Ugh, really suffocating... I wanna cry...”
...
Sylvia gazed at the passing scenery. She cautiously opened the window, feeling the breeze as she closed her eyes.
Someday, a voice she'd heard in Verhert resurfaced.
—No need for surprise. It's a weapon and magic specialized for killing.
—What's useful in this world, Sylvia, is a mage's talent like yours. Magic isn't made to kill people, is it?
Deculein's words.
Back then, she'd thought it mere praise for her talent.
But now, understanding his efforts...
They resonated differently.